Concerns Grow Over Dam Safety in San Diego Reservoirs
In San Diego, California, the state of some of the city’s dams is becoming a cause for worry. Among the 11 reservoir dams in the area, nine are considered to pose an extremely high risk to downstream safety, with six falling below national standards. To address the risk of dam failures, San Diego City plans to allocate $100 million to hire consultants to manage dam safety projects.
According to a report by CBS8, on June 26, the San Diego City Council’s Infrastructure Committee unanimously voted in favor of signing a 10-year, $100 million contract with GEI Consultants, who will be responsible for managing the city’s reservoir dam safety projects.
GEI Consultants is an engineering and environmental consulting company. If approved by the City Council, GEI Consultants will provide a range of safety plans for the reservoir dams, including “condition assessments, planning, and project management.”
Among the 11 dams in San Diego, capacity limits have been imposed on four by the state government, leading to a 20% decrease in the city’s water storage capacity.
Lake Hodges, located in North County, San Diego, is one of the reservoirs owned by the city. The dam of the reservoir has a history of over a hundred years. Over the decades, due to lack of proper maintenance and repairs, it has been aging, raising concerns about its ability to withstand a major earthquake. Following the state government’s restrictions, in 2023 and 2024, over 11 billion gallons of water were discharged from Lake Hodges into the ocean.
This move aims to improve the safety of the reservoir dams and mitigate any potential risks associated with their condition. As discussions continue on the best approach forward, residents and authorities are focusing on ensuring the long-term stability and security of the dams in San Diego.